Life isn't a Hollywood movie. That's one of the many things that Ellie learns in The Third Mushroom, an incredibly satisfying sequel to The Fourteenth Goldfish. In this book, which I finished in under 24 hours, we watch as Ellie experiments with her first romantic relationship, works on a science fair project with her grandfather, … Continue reading Seeing Something New in The Third Mushroom
All the Stars for One for the Murphys
Lynda Mullaly Hunt has won me over as a MG author who just really gets it. I absolutely adored Fish in a Tree, and with this book she has created characters that are instantly real and a situation that is all too plausible. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and could have finished … Continue reading All the Stars for One for the Murphys
Spending a Year with Holling Hoodhood and The Wednesday Wars
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt, is a quiet, subtle middle grade book written in 2007 but set in 1967. It captures your attention from the start, but progresses slowly to show just how the characters, especially Holling Hoodhood, grow during a school year. I never would have picked this book up had it … Continue reading Spending a Year with Holling Hoodhood and The Wednesday Wars
When Lies Get the Best of You
I don't often read books that are mainly meant for young boys, but thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange, I was able to read Stu Truly by Dan Richards, a book that just came out this month. It is a coming of age story about a young boy and also a comical look at how … Continue reading When Lies Get the Best of You
The Jigsaw Jungle
I love being a part of the Kid Lit Exchange because I wind up finding out about and reading books that I might never have found on my own. Even more likely, without the KLE, I would find a book, put it on my never ending TBR list, and might never get to it. But … Continue reading The Jigsaw Jungle
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
There are times when you can be reading a book and from the first few pages you know that it is going to be great. This was one of those books. I have a feeling that it will resonate with kids for a long time. Goodreads Synopsis Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't … Continue reading The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
The Way to Bea
I think that it is only appropriate that I finished this book a few days after writing about picture books that encourage children to embrace their individuality. The Way to Bea, by Kat Yeh, is a really wonderful book for middle graders that handles the same type of concept, but for older kids experiencing completely … Continue reading The Way to Bea
One True Way
The year is 1977 and Allie has just moved from New Jersey to North Carolina. Her parents are divorcing and her brother recently died in an accident. Life definitely isn't easy. As she starts her first day at school she has two goals - make a friend and join the newspaper staff. Fortunately, Allie meets … Continue reading One True Way
The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City
Welcome back to Middle Grade Monday! This week I am reviewing The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, by Jodi Kendall. Thank you to @KidLitExchange for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own. Summary from Goodreads: Josie Shilling’s family is too big, their cramped city house is too … Continue reading The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City
Ashes to Asheville
One of the reasons that I love the NC Battle of the Books so much is that it encourages kids to read things that are outside of their normal scope or favorite genre. Here in this house we are getting a jump start on next year's list. The first one that I finished is Ashes … Continue reading Ashes to Asheville